Returning: Grantchester

Season 2 of Grantchester begins on ABC in early April, to replace The Doctor Blake Mysteries.

James Norton (Happy Valley, War and Peace) returns as sleuth and clergyman Sidney Chambers, while Robson Green (Strikeback, Wire In The Blood) returns as Detective Inspector Geordie Keating.

These episodes premiered in the UK earlier this month.

Sidney Chambers is vicar of Grantchester, a small village just outside Cambridge. Sidney is a terrific parish priest – never narrow-minded or judgemental, he’s a curious, fun-loving man with plenty of time for other people. While he might have the odd pint too many, be too fond of jazz music, and sometimes fall for the wrong women, Sidney’s is a quiet life. Or at least, it was – right up until the moment that murder came his way…

Following on from last year’s highly successful first series, it’s 1954 and having lain his wartime past to rest, Sidney Chambers is in a good place. Booze and self-doubt have taken a back seat to his duties and congregation. He’s growing up, and trying to lead a good life. He has finally wrenched his thoughts away from his beloved Amanda (Morven Christie), and it’s not long before another young lady catches his eye.

Once again joining Sidney as he journeys into the dark world of murder is the affable but world-weary Detective Inspector Geordie Keating, the naive, but well-meaning curate Leonard Finch (Al Weaver), and his austere and constantly disapproving housekeeper Mrs Maguire (Tessa Peake-Jones).

In the first episode Sidney finds himself wrongly accused of a crime, his unmasking of the real culprit will send shockwaves through the entire village. Sidney is forced to face up to the consequences of his actions. Will he be able to stay the course and live with a difficult decision, even when the parish is turning against him?

8:30pm Friday April 1 on ABC.